Mental Health Café

Mental Health café deals with real issues in Fraser Valley communities

Don’t try to tell University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) philosophy instructor Peter Raabe that talk is cheap.

Raabe is a true believer in the power of talking about problems large and small. The North Vancouver resident introduced a Philosophy Café-style open discussion group specifically focused on mental health issues, to that community more than eight years ago. Since then a similar café group has been established in Coquitlam and a one is just taking root in Chilliwack.

The philosophy café, he explains, is an open forum for people directly affected by mental health issues. Raabe is adamant it is not a “typical self-help group” but a positive discussion that helps participants come up with ideas and suggestions about how to cope with mental health concerns and the wellness of a community.

Philosophy cafés give people a chance to discuss mental health issues affecting them and the communities where they live. Raabe says the sessions are open, friendly, and led by trained UFV students who keep the topics on track and topical.

Raabe, who is a philosophical counsellor when not teaching at the university, decided to get the students involved when he realized the concept of mental health cafés was becoming popular and his time to coordinate them was limited. A good facilitator, he says, will lead the discussion, keep it on topic, and ensure it remains respectful even though some sessions can get heated. And that’s where his UFV students come in.

“I wanted to pass on the legacy, so to speak, so I put out a call to the Psychology department for students who might be interested in taking this on.”

Eight students came forward and Raabe drafted a six-week training schedule that taught them the strengths and the exact role of good facilitator. He explains that it is a skill; good facilitators don’t dictate, they ask questions, sometimes act as the devil’s advocate to keep the conservation flowing, keep the discussion on topic, and know how to end it on time. When the UFV students completed the training, they were rewarded with three course credits they could count towards their degree.

“The students are able to apply their philosophical skills in practice. It’s a real shifting of gears for students — we’re putting them into a position of mentor or advisor for adults of many different age groups,” adds Raabe. “The students see some positive opportunities, both for themselves and for the participants, and they are really happy to be doing this.”

Four of those students continue to facilitate the mental health cafés which take place monthly in Coquitlam and now in Chilliwack. Next week, the Chilliwack café takes on the topic of the pharmaceutical industry’s impact on the mental health community.

Scott Campbell, with Chilliwack’s Mood Disorders Group, says the mental health cafés are a great opportunity for all residents of a community to come together to discuss topical issues that generally affect the community as a whole.

Raabe likens the mental health café to a book club. The group meets regularly; topics for the next gathering are generally picked at the end of a session. Anybody can attend, anybody can suggest topics, and all voices are respected and listened to.

“There is no limit to what topics they choose,” he says. “And the important part of the facilitator is to empower the group to pick its own topics. Theses groups have jelled quickly and that might be because they are looking for information and they are looking for skills to deal with mental health issues. They can also look at possible solutions. But with a philosophical discussion there are sometimes three or four solutions. It’s never a simple case of what’s right or wrong.”

The next Chilliwack mental health café takes place Saturday, Dec 13, at 1 p.m. in the Minto Room at Evergreen Hall, at 9291 Corbould Street. It is hosted by the Chilliwack Mood Disorders Group. For more information, people can contact Scott Campbell at 604-793-4906.

The Coquitlam group also meets Saturday, Dec 13 at 1 p.m at the Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. The topic for the December meeting is 'Holidays and Mental Health.' For more information about the Coquitlam group, people can contact Teresa Spurr at teresa_cafe@shaw.ca

Raabe expects the idea of the mental health philosophy cafés will continue to grow and is hoping other communities start similar groups. When the need arises, he will train more students who take on the role of facilitator.

“I know of nothing else like this in Canada,” adds Raabe. “There is not another café that deals with mental health issues on a continuing basis. Now we have people who are making suggestions and coming up with possible solutions or ideas to deal with mental health issues. That’s what it’s all about.”

UFV offers a minor in Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy as part of the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can also take a variety of philosophy courses for general interest. Applications for September 2009 are currently being accepted. To find out more, visit www.ufv.ca .

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Theory, Research and Treatment

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Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDA) Education Evening
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Theory, Research and Treatment
with Dr. Alex Chapman, Assist Prof Psychology, SFU
Thursday, July 17, 2008
7:00 pm
Sunrise Hall
1950 Windermere Street (at East 4th Ave.)
Vancouver, BC

Contact MDA for more information:
604-873-0103
mdabc@telus.net

Borderline Personality Disorder is one of the most misunderstood psychiatric disorders, yet one of the most serious. 75% people with BPD attempt suicide; 8-10% die by suicide. Often people with BPD are not aware of what causes their ongoing instability of emotions that affect their relationships, their behaviour and their identity. They not only experience stigma from society, but also from health providers. Dr. Chapman’s goal is to present accurate, up-to-date information about the latest research, possible causes and treatments of BPD. He will challenge some common myths and explain why BPD is an understandable and treatable psychiatric disorder.

Have a sibling with mental illness? Focus group for 16-30 year-olds--Vancouver

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Do you have a brother or sister with a mental illness?

We would like to learn from you about what services would be helpful in coping with a sibling living with a severe mental illness.

A focus group for 16 to 30 year olds who have a sibling living with a severe mental illness.

January 30, 2008
location: 800 East Broadway
Mount Pleasant Neighborhood house
7 PM – 9 PM

Refreshments will be provided. Please pre-register!

To register or for more information, please contact:
Jessica Smits at 604-247-1884/jessicasmits@bcss.org
Sherry Gable at 604-708-5289/sherry.gable@vch.ca

"Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly" Fall '07 issue available

Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly is produced by the Children’s Health Policy Centre at Simon Fraser University.

"The Quarterly provides updates on the best currently available research evidence in children’s mental health. This issue’s theme is attention problems in children, with particular focus on the assessment and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Themes for The Quarterly are chosen in consultation with Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) staff at BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). ... The theme for our Winter 2008 Quarterly will be building on children’s resilience with particular focus on programs addressing supportive relationships."--from the website

Laughter is the Best Medicine on Knowledge Network

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Laughter is the Best Medicine on Knowledge Network
Cracking Up! premieres Monday, January 28 at 9 p.m.

From the first fumbles of the microphone, to their one-on-one performances in front of the mirror, to their sold out graduation show at one of Vancouver's biggest theatres, Cracking Up! takes viewers on a quirky journey through the unique perspectives of some remarkable people.

Cracking Up! follows the story of 11 courageous people who stand up for their mental health – literally! Using laughter as a form of therapy, Vancouver counselor and comedian David Granirer trains these individuals, who suffer from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia,
obsessive-compulsive disorder, and manic depression, to confront their problems through stand-up comedy. While learning to laugh at themselves, they get to share their stories and address public stigma with an audience that has a lot to learn about mental disorders.

Giving a face to mental illness, this documentary introduces audiences to inspiring individuals, such as Michael Warren who has both bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. Michael couldn't speak properly until he was a teenager, but it hasn't deterred him from his dream to become a stand-up comedian. Likewise, Paul Decarie suffered traumatic injury to his brain and spine after falling off a second story balcony when he was two years old, but he too is determined to attain a career as a professional actor and stand-up comedian. Eufemia Fantetti has battled clinical depression for most of her life, yet she is striving to find her long lost sense of humour. Sufferer of schizophrenia, Robbie Engelquist uses his creativity and the unusual voices inside his head as inspiration for his jokes. Each of their stories provokes viewers to reevaluate their perceptions and biases towards people with mental illness.

Seeking participants for theatre project: tobacco use & mental health

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PROJECT PARTICIPANTS NEEDED!
Are you someone who is living with a mental illness, has experienced a mental health issue, or is a mental health service provider?

Are you a smoker, ex-smoker, or non-smoker who is interested in exploring issues of tobacco use within the mental health community?

Are you comfortable speaking in front of others and intrigued by the idea of using theatre to create positive change?

The Canadian Cancer Society, in partnership with the CACTUS Project and Vancouver Coastal Health, is looking for participants for a FORUM THEATRE PROJECT aimed at creating dialogue about tobacco use within the mental health community. Forum Theatre is an interactive, solution-oriented type of theatre that asks the audience to share their ideas and perspectives.

Project participants will contribute to the creation of a Forum Theatre production to be presented to the mental health community.

No acting experience required. Training & on-going support will be provided. Honourarium available.

An INFORMATION SESSION regarding the project will take place on Monday, October 15th from 3:00-4:30 at the Canadian Cancer Society at 510 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver.
Attendance at the information session is not required to apply to participate in the project.

To RSVP to the information session or to receive an information package and application form, please contact Jamie Myrah at 604.215.5468.

Please note that all participants will be asked to commit to a series of important dates, including:
** Training by Headlines Theatre: November 01st & 02nd (10:00-4:00)
** Six weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays from 3:00-5:00 (starting November 13th with a break during the holiday season)
** Five community presentations: January/February 2008 - dates & times to be confirmed

Mood disorder information session for Punjabi-speakers

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Dr. Nirmal Kang, Psychiatrist and Dr. Rajpal Singh, Psychologist will speak at an information session for Punjabi-speaking people with a mood disorder and their family members

Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007
5:00 PM
The Days Inn – Surrey, BC
9850 King George Highway

For more information contact Mood Disorders Association of BC (MDA):
phone: 604-873-0103 or
email: mdabc@telus.net

BC Schizophrenia Society offers translated materials

The British Columbia Schizophrenia Society offers fact sheets about schizophrenia in Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, and Urdu. Information in French is available through a link to La Société Québécoise de la Schizophrénie website.

To view these fact sheets and to access other information about schizophrenia, support and activities in BC, vist the the BC Schizophrenia Society website at http://www.bcss.org/.

Human Rights for People with Mental Illness

Realizing Our Potential: A Symposium on Human Rights for People with Mental Illness was sponsored by Stenberg College and Coast Mental Health Foundation and held on January 29, 2007 in Surrey, BC.

You can view the complete webcast or download the magazine called Realizing Our Potential which was inspired by the event at:
http://www.realizinghumanpotential.com/overview.html

Bipolar Disorder: A review of Medication & Self-management Strategies

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Bipolar Disorder: A review of Medication & Self-management Strategies is an education night for consumers and their families

July 10th, 2007
7:00 - 9:00 pm
UBC Robson Square Theatre
800 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC

Pre-registration required (seating limited)
Cost: $5.00 (waived in cases of financial hardship)

Contact:
Heather Armstrong
UBC Mood Disorders Centre
Room 2C7-2255 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1
phone 604-822-8045
email hla@interchange.ubc.ca

A flyer with speakers and topics is available.

"Mind Matters: BC's Mental Health E-news"

Mind Matters is published by the Canadian Mental Health Association's (CMHA) BC Division. Delivered to your email box each month, Mind Matters contains "CMHA news, programs, resources and events in BC, as well as:

• mental health news and research
• new mental health programs and resources in BC
• public education events
• courses, workshops and conferences for people with mental illness, family, friends, caregivers, advocates, and health/mental health professionals.

The following selected headlines from the June 2007 issue of Mind Matters provide an example of the range of information available:

• Coping with Suicidal Thoughts ... a short guide
• New Look and Video Resources for AnxietyBC Website
• DepressionLifelines.ca is a new website that connects you to the knowledge accumulated by mental health organizations across Canada
• The latest edition of CMHA Ontario Division's Network magazine, now available online, reflects on the theme of social inclusion
• Family Matters – A Tool for Teens is a new online resource from mindyourmind.ca
• New Website for Parents of Kids with Special Needs--Our Special Kids is a web resource for parents of children with special needs who are looking for information relevant to their situation and understanding from others
• Planning Guidelines for: Mental Health and addiction Services for children, Youth and Adults with Developmental Disability is available in PDF format at http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/
• Working Effectively With Interpreters in a Mental Health Setting
• BC Launches Pilot Program for Parents of Children with Mental Illness
• Scientists Encouraged to Focus on Psychological Needs of Cancer Survivors
• Mental Illness Targeted by Workplace Screening Program
• Movie Mondays in Victoria
• Frames of Mind Mental Health Film Series – I Have Tourettes But Tourettes Doesn’t Have Me
• New Writing Group for People With Mental Illness

Read back issues or subscribe to Mind Matters at http://www.cmha.bc.ca/news_events/enews.

Using Comedy to Fight Mental Illness and Stigma: CBC Passionate Eye Documentary

Cracking Up is a life-affirming documentary about people with mental illness who embark on a quirky quest to become stand up comics. The film follows 11 courageous people who suffer from mental illness as they pursue a year of stand up comedy.

Part fun and part therapy, the course, entitled Stand Up For Mental Health is the brainchild of Vancouver counselor, stand-up comic, and author of The Happy Neurotic: How Fear and Angst Can Lead To Happiness and Success David Granirer. “It’s like ‘The Full Monty’ except people want us to keep our clothes on”, he says.

Doing stand-up comedy has had an amazing effect on the people in the course. For the first time in their lives, they have embraced the word "crazy," and learned to laugh at their mental illness–and their audiences are laughing right along with them. They have discovered a talent they never dreamt they had.

Airs nationally on August 30 at 9 p.m. On CBC’s Doc Zone.

For more information contact:
David Granirer, Founder
Stand Up For Mental Health–Using stand-up comedy to empower people with mental illness
3633 Triumph Street
Vancouver, BC V5K 1V4
Phone: 604-205-9242; Fax: 604-205-9243
Email: david@standupformentalhealth.com
Web: http://www.standupformentalhealth.com